Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Review

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Cast: Benjamin Walker, Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, Rufus Sewell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson and Martin Csokas.

Certificate: 15

Running time: 105 Minutes

Synopsis: After witnessing a vampire murder his mother, Abraham Lincoln vows to kill every last bloodsucker in the US. But they have plans of their own – to found their own vampiric nation – a plan aided by the outbreak of civil war…

Whilst the iconic figure of ‘Good Ol’ Abe’ will soon be played by Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis in Steven Spielberg’s forthcoming biopic, the responsibility falls on up-and-coming actor Benjamin Walker in this bonkers take on the 16th US President, directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

Bekmambetov collaborates with producer Tim Burton and screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith (whom both also worked together on the lukewarm DARK SHADOWS and currently, the in-development BEETLEJUICE 2) for ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, adapted from Grahame-Smith’s own novel. The crazy history/horror mash-up may have needed an equally crazy director… and they don’t get any crazier than NIGHT WATCH, DAY WATCH and WANTED’s Bekmambetov. Known for his visual style, fast edits and gravity-defying set pieces, he’s the kind of director not hired for his plot-driven narrative – but his films do occasionally fascinate and drop jaws. So how does he fair with a story so ‘out-there’? And with his relatively unknown lead Benjamin Walker?

Beginning with young Abraham witnessing the death of his mother at the hands of Billy Barts (Martin Csokas), the tone is set for the remainder of the movie. As Abe grows, he becomes drunken and vengeful, makes terrible mistakes as a result, but soon discovers the ‘creatures of the night’ live amongst the humans. Dominic Cooper’s Henry Sturges duly arrives (with a few secrets of his own) to save our hero and set him on his journey. Teaching and preparing him to hunt vampires, using an array of  nifty weaponry and preposterous skills. Cue the familiar training montage (see ROCKY) as Lincoln familiarises himself with a trusty silver-covered Axe and an assortment of souped-up muskets.

The film is effectively a tale two halves, as we see him grow into a man (Walker, looking a dead-ringer for a young Liam Neeson, under a prosthetic nose), using Sturges’ information to hunt and lop the heads of vampires. The introduction of close friends William Johnson (Anthony Mackie), Joshua Speed (Jimmi Simpson), and love of his life, Mary Todd (the gorgeous Mary Elizabeth Winstead) suggest his path is destined for more important duties, and Abe puts away his axe.

The focus shifts to his family life, and he grows a whole lot older through the aid of heavy prosthetics (even though everyone else has only a few grey tips). It’s only a minor annoyance however, and his political life soon becomes the focus. Significant historical events are cleverly woven around brushes with vampire hordes led by the villainous Adam (Rufus Sewell), and at this point, it’s time to dust off his handy weapons and brush up on those old skills as his geriatric state makes no difference in this tale.

Like Bekmambetov’s previous work, ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER is dumb and preposterous but more importantly, it’s enjoyable. It’s a film that works on the notion that you can have great fun if you leave your brain at the door and disregard the gaping plot holes. In fact, this writer would go so far to say it’s bloody brilliant. There’s plenty of great gore-filled scenes, as blood flies from each swing of the axe. The notable set-pieces involve Abe hunting a vampire through hundreds of CGI stallions, and a train wreck that harks back to the director’s action-packed WANTED.

Overall, go see ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER and you’re sure to have a fantastic time. A bloody fantastic time. Bekmambetov, along with his superb lead, certainly make you forget the blandness other vampire franchises. Yes TWILIGHT, we’re looking at you…

  ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER is released today in cinemas